Is Joel Osteen the New Face of Christianity?

The UK's Guardian has an interesting story today about American Christianity. The Guardian apparently believes Osteen is the new face of Evangelical Christianity.

According to the Guardian, "Powerful politicians from both parties crave to be seen with him, just as in the past they paid homage to Billy Graham (who has endorsed Osteen). The Republican governor of Texas, Rick Perry, made sure to attend the grand opening of Lakewood in July 2005; Osteen in turn led the prayer during Perry's inauguration two years later. But Osteen doesn't pick political favourites; when Houston elected its first openly gay mayor this year (a Democrat), he said the prayer during her inauguration. The Clintons like to be seen worshipping at Lakewood when they're in town, and John McCain was happy to sing the praises of Osteen while campaigning in 2008. And while Obama is yet to pay a visit, last December he found the time to receive Osteen at the White House. These disparate and often opposed politicians recognise one thing: if anybody is the face of evangelical Christianity in America today, it is Joel Osteen."

The way the Guardian article begins, however, is most interesting. The piece says, "Forget Billy Graham and Jimmy Swaggart – the most popular and influential pastor in the US is Joel Osteen. On the surface he is modest and quietly spoken, but his belief in the 'prosperity gospel' is changing the way people pray."

It's interesting that the piece notes Osteen's Word-Faith theology because that may be something about Osteen that many people are unaware of.

Has Emerging Church Leader Brian McLaren Endorsed Homosexuality?

In the January 23, 2006 edition of Christianity Today's Leadershipjournal.net, Emerging Church leader, Brian McLaren, made this statement in regards to whether or not homosexuality is immoral, "Perhaps we need a five-year moratorium on making pronouncements. In the meantime, we'll practice prayerful Christian dialogue, listening respectfully, disagreeing agreeably. When decisions need to be made, they'll be admittedly provisional. We'll keep our ears attuned to scholars in biblical studies, theology, ethics, psychology, genetics, sociology, and related fields. Then in five years, if we have clarity, we'll speak; if not, we'll set another five years for ongoing reflection. After all, many important issues in church history took centuries to figure out. Maybe this moratorium would help us resist the "winds of doctrine" blowing furiously from the left and right, so we can patiently wait for the wind of the Spirit to set our course."

Evidently, McLaren's 5-year moratorium is over in less than 5 years. In a piece in The Washington Post, McLaren said, "Since I come from an Evangelical background, most of my good friends sincerely and passionately hold the strict conservative view on homosexuality with which we all were raised. They can't understand why I don't stand side by side with them on this issue any more."

Psychic Charged with Investor Fraud

Sean David Morton, a self-proclaimed psychic who calls himself, "America's Prophet" was arrested recently and charged with investor fraud. Apparently, "America's Prophet" says he was able to predict stock market changes and therefore could bring a great profit to his clients.

According to the ABC News piece, Morton said, "I have called all the highs and lows of the market, giving exact dates for rises and crashes over the last 14 years." But he apparently could not foresee that the SEC was going to catch him.

Famous Guru from "The Secret" arrested

Self-help guru, James Arthur Ray, famous for his involvement in the recent spiritual phenomenon known as "The Secret" was arrested on February 4 on manslaughter charges.

According to Reuters, "Police arrested self-help guru James Arthur Ray on Wednesday for the manslaughter of three people who fell ill during a ceremony in a "sweat dome" at a retreat in northern Arizona last year. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said Ray was indicted on three counts of manslaughter relating to the deaths of James Shore, Liz Neuman and Kirby Brown on October 8 following the retreat near Sedona. His bond was set at $5 million."

Egypt: Israel preparing to strike Iran from Gulf and northern Iraq

Apparently there is a great deal stirring in the Middle East, especially with regard to the Israel-Iran situation.

Earlier this week as was discussed on this blog, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that on February 11 the Iranians would deliver a telling blow to the global powers. On the heals of that information, we learned that the Obama Administration has stepped up military presence and security in the region apparently in preparation for conflict.

Debkafile reports now that Egyptian sources are saying that Israel is preparing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities from the Gulf and northern Iraq. The interesting thing about the story is this statement, "Some of this information was leaked in Cairo Wednesday night to Shorouk, a publication which Egyptian intelligence often uses as an outlet for information held to be credible. Shorouk was first out with the story of the Israeli Air Force attack on Iranian arms convoys in Sudan in January 2009."

Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: 'Iran to deliver telling blow to global powers on Feb. 11'

CNN is reporting that Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stated in a state-run Press TV interview that Iran will deliver a harsh blow to "global arrogance" on February 11.

In response, as was discussed on this blog recently, the Obama Administration has stepped up the military presence and security measures in the region.

Debkafile reports today that a massive plan to invade Israel is in place and ready to go. According to Debkafile, the plan will be led by Iran and is to be implemented by Syria, Hamas, Hezbullah and Iran's Revolutionary Guards corps. It is not clear when the plan will be set in motion, but is probably ready for a response to Israel should Israel attack Iran's nuclear installations.

Jehovah's Witnesses have 'new truth' on the 1914 generation.....again

The Jehovah's Witnesses recently produced a new revelation regarding the 1914 generation, which is the generation that is supposed to see the Battle of Armageddon unfold.

The "new truth" says, "How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about 'this generation'? He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation" ("The Holy Spirit's Role in the Outworking of Jehovah's Purpose", The Watchtower, April 15, 2010, p. 10).

James Walker of Watchman Fellowship has a great article on another "new truth" put forth by the Jehovah's Witnesses regarding the 1914 generation.

Watchman Fellowship also has another great article on the history of 1914 as put forth by the Jehovah's Witnesses.

US speeds up preparations for clash with Iran

Debkafile has a very interesting story today regarding the potential clash between the US and Iran.

According to Debkafile, "The Obama administration took the unusual step Saturday night, Jan. 30, of leaking word to major US media that the United States, Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies - the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain - have accelerated the deployment of new defenses against possible Iranian missile attacks. They are preparing for Iran, or its surrogate Hizballah, to hit back for a possible US or strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities."

The Debkafile piece goes on to say, "The White House's decision to deploy additional defenses in the Gulf came only a day after National Security Adviser James Jones warned that Iran was liable to react to pressure by having its proxies Hizballah and Hamas attack Israel. The abruptness of this step pointed to the administration having woken up to the realization that its diplomatic and military position in the region was in grave jeopardy and in dire need of shoring up without delay."

Iran crosses the line: can now enrich Uranium up to 20% grade

Debkafile had an alarming story yesterday regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities.

According to Debkafile, "Attaining the ability to enrich uranium up to 20 percent grade brings Iran dangerously close to 'break-out' point for a nuclear weapon capability, Debkafile's intelligence sources report. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad promised the 'good news' would be announced during the Feb. 1-11 celebrations of the Islamic Revolution. The 'news' was the subject of an urgent cabinet meeting in Jerusalem last week."

The Debkafile piece goes on to say, "The only straight talk from any Western leader has come from French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Saturday, Jan. 23, he told visiting Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri that France has evidence Iran is developing nuclear weapons contrary to its claims. He warned that Israel "would not stand by while Iran develops nuclear weapons."

It's a sad day when France is the apparent leader on something as significant as standing up to a dangerous regime very near to attaining nuclear weapons.

Earliest known Hebrew inscription discovered!

Physorg.com reports that University of Haifa Biblical Studies Professor, Gershon Galil, recently deciphered an ancient inscription on a pottery shard in the Elah Valley. The inscription dates back to 10th century BC, which was the period of King David's reign making this the earliest known Hebrew inscription.

This discovery even predates another discovery counted as the oldest Hebrew document ever discovered.

Israel Today reports that the significance of this discovery is that, "Previously, a wide range of respected academics had insisted that the Bible could not possibly have been written before the 6th century BC due to widespread illiteracy, making most of text hearsay rather than eye-witness accounts. But the new inscription was found at what was a remote settlement in the 10th century BC, meaning that even small isolated communities had capable scribes."

Obama Executive Order: Council of 10 Governors....

The LA Times has a story today about President Obama's latest Executive Order. The title of the Executive Order is "Establishment of the Council of Governors."

According to The LA Times piece, the function of the council is,

"Sec. 2. Functions. The Council shall meet at the call of the Secretary of Defense or the Co-Chairs of the Council to exchange views, information, or advice with the Secretary of Defense; the Secretary of Homeland Security; the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism; the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement; the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs; the Commander, United States Northern Command; the Chief, National Guard Bureau; the Commandant of the Coast Guard; and other appropriate officials of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, and appropriate officials of other executive departments or agencies as may be designated by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Homeland Security.Such views, information, or advice shall concern:

(a) matters involving the National Guard of the various States;

(b) homeland defense;

(c) civil support;

(d) synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States; and

(e) other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities."

General Petraeus: Iran's nuclear sites can be bombed

Yesterday General David Petraeus made some very interesting comments regarding the U.S. bombing Iran's nuclear facilities.

Petraeus told CNN, "Well, they certainly can be bombed. The level of effect would vary with who it is that carries it out, what ordnance they have, and what capability they can bring to bear." Petraeus went on to say, "It would be almost literally irresponsible if CENTCOM were not to have been thinking about the various 'what ifs' and to make plans for a whole variety of different contingencies."

Debkafile also reported on this story and noted, "The deployment in the Middle East of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group in the first week of January adds muscle to the words of Gen. David Petraeus, CENTCOM commander, on Jan 10 that Iranian nuclear infrastructure, albeit strengthened against attack with enhanced underground tunnels, wasn't fully protected."

Famous psychic Sylvia Browne wrong on her predictions for 2009

Famous psychic, Sylvia Browne, recently had her predictions for 2009 evaluated by journalist Christopher McAlpin and published online by examiner.com.

McAlpin's piece states of Browne's predictions, "To put it bluntly, Ms. Browne failed miserably." He then goes on to state Browne's prophecies with the result.

McAlpin concludes, "Of the fifteen Sylvia Browne predictions specific and unequivocal enough to be verified or disproven, none have been shown to come true. It remains possible, however, that there was an unpublicized major bank robbery in Las Vegas that involved a Brinks truck. If that is later found to have happened, Ms. Browne's record will be one in fifteen."

Southern Baptist Minister running for Congress in Oklahoma

James Lankford, a Southern Baptist Minister in Oklahoma, recently decided to make an interesting career choice. His decision, however, is not the kind of career decision that most Baptist ministers decide upon. Lankford is running for Oklahoma's 5th Congressional seat.

One has to wonder that given the current state of affairs of the country, if Lankford is representative of other Christians and Christian leaders who will decide in the near future to get more involved in the political arena beyond just voting.

Brit Hume under fire for encouraging Tiger Woods to convert to Christianity

Fox News veteran anchor, Brit Hume, has come under fire recently by the likes of Jon Stewart among others for encouraging Tiger Woods to convert to Christianity.

Hume defended his statements on the Fox News Channel's O'Reilly Factor and on CBN News. The CBN News interview was especially interesting because he discusses his faith a little more.

Hume told CBN News, " If you think about what Christianity is about it's about sinners and Christianity is a religion for sinners and I think that Tiger Woods has an opportunity here and my prayer would be that he would take it. If you're trying to find the two most explosive words in the English language those two words are Jesus Christ. You start talking about Jesus Christ and I don't mean to make a pun but all hell breaks loose. People rage about this. It's very offensive to those who don't share the faith. It's offensive to some people who claim they do share the faith. This is to be expected and it's been happening to people who proclaim their faith in Christ for as long as anybody can remember. This is part of the deal. You have to be willing to deal with this if you're going to say his name out loud you’re going to hear about it."

Haorld Camping says Rapture will happen May 21, 2011

Harold Camping, President of Family Stations, Inc. (Family Radio) has come out with a refutation of the recent 2012 hysterical prophecies. Of the 2012 hoopla, Camping says, "That date has not one stitch of biblical authority....it's like a fairy tale."

Camping's refutation, however, is really just a prophecy of his own. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that based on his equation, Camping predicted that the Rapture would take place on May 21, 2011.

Israel Summons all of her Ambassadors to Jerusalem

Joel Rosenberg's blog is reporting an interesting development in Israel.

According to Rosenberg, "Last week — for the first time ever — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned all of the Jewish State’s ambassadors back to Jerusalem for special briefings….why?….what’s brewing?….developing."

It will certainly be interesting to see why this event has taken place.

Jennifer Aniston may convert to Kabbalah from Buddhism

The UK's Mail Online reports today that actress Jennifer Aniston may be planning to convert from her current religion of Buddhism to Kabbalah.

According to the Mail Online piece, "Jennifer Aniston could be the next Hollywood star to convert to Kabbalah, after striking up a friendship with devotee Demi Moore. The former Friends actress turned to Buddhism following her difficult split from Brad Pitt – but now I hear she is considering making the switch to the fashionable faith, which is based on ancient Jewish mysticism."

Pew Poll: most and least religious states

A recent state-by-state "Religious Commitment Analysis" produced by the Pew Research Center's Pew Forum on Religion and Pubic Life presented some interesting results.

According to the Pew poll, more than 80% of people in Mississippi polled say that religion is "very important in their lives" making Mississippi the highest ranking state in the poll. Bottoming out the poll is New Hampshire and Vermont boasting only 36% who say that religion is "very important in their lives."

Muslim father found guilty of killing pregnant daughter in honor killing

The Muslim father of a 15-year-old pregnant girl has been found guilty of her death. Apparently the murder was an honor killing.

According to the Mail Online, "Mehmet Goren, 49, a bully who terrified his Turkish family, was yesterday found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering his 15-year-old daughter Tulay after she started a relationship with Halil Unal, man from a different Muslim sect."

Oral Roberts dies at age 91

The Associated Press reports that infamous televangelist and founder of Oral Roberts University, Oral Roberts, died yesterday at the age of 91.

Oral Roberts was a pioneer in religious television broadcasting and is one of the early proponents of the Word Faith Movement. Roberts will likely be remembered most for his proclamation in the 1980's that God would "call me home" if he didn't raise $8 million.

Jimmy Carter speaks at Parliament of the World's Religons

Former President Jimmy Carter was a recent keynote speaker at the 2009 Parliament of the World's Religions. According to the Parliament of the World's Religions website, Carter addressed the topic "The Religious Imperative for the Equality of Women & Girls."

Interestingly, Carter was in the news recently for leaving the Southern Baptist Convention over the issue of the mistreatment of women. Indicting the Southern Baptist Convention, Carter stated, "The truth is that male religious leaders have had -- and still have -- an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims U.S. is blocking the return of Islam's Messiah

Fox News has a story today about the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

According to the Fox News piece, Ahmadinejad said, "We have documented proof that they believe that a descendant of the prophet of Islam will raise in these parts and he will dry the roots of all injustice in the world. They have devised all these plans to prevent the coming of the Hidden Imam because they know that the Iranian nation is the one that will prepare the grounds for his coming and will be the supporters of his rule."

Iran successfully simulates nuclear weapon detonation

Debkafile has a chilling story today titled, "Iran successfully simulates nuclear warhead detonation."

According to the piece, "Debkafile's Iranian and intelligence sources report that this development is alarming because detonation is one of the most difficult technological challenges in the development of a nuclear weapon. Mastering it carries Iran past one of the last major obstacles confronting its program for the manufacture of a nuclear warhead."

Is Jack Van Impe predicting the Great Tribulation will begin in 2012?

As we have discussed before on this blog, evidently Jack Van Impe may again be predicting dates for end times events.